In another display of solidarity and “unbending commitment to protect the truth,” members of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) have signed a manifesto of support behind party president and House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on the issue of the people’s initiative.
House Majority Leader and Zamboanga City Rep. Manuel Jose Dalipe, Lakas-CMD executive vice president, said the manifesto was created and signed by party members to uphold the principles of democracy.
“We, the members of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats in the House of Representatives, stand united in our resolve to defend the integrity of our esteemed Speaker, the Honorable Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, against the unfounded criticisms levied upon him in the context of the People’s Initiative to amend the 1987 Constitution,” the document read.
“We express our unwavering support for Speaker Martin Romualdez, recognizing his leadership and commitment to the principles of democracy and good governance. The allegations against him, centered around the People’s Initiative, are baseless and do not reflect the true nature of his service to the nation,” it added.
Lakas-CMD is the dominant political party with 94 members in the 315-strong House, which Romualdez leads in his capacity as Speaker.
Through his reputation as a uniting force, Romualdez has rallied Lakas-CMD and its many allied parties in the lower chamber to a very fruitful 19th Congress under the stewardship of President Marcos, the party said.
The manifesto stated that under Romualdez’s leadership, the House has achieved record success in approving bills that propel economic growth, create job opportunities, and improve the overall quality of life for Filipinos.
“With him at the helm, the House has adopted a more activist role in nation-building, exemplified by our intensified oversight function, combating economic disparities and supporting the government’s efforts against drug trafficking and other societal challenges,” it read.
“The House’s efficiency in passing priority measures, including those outlined by the LEDAC and in the President’s SONA, showcases our responsiveness and dedication to fulfilling the aspirations of the Filipino people,” it added.
Romualdez, who is “arguably President Marcos’ top ally” in the legislature according to the party, recently reported 100 percent completion of these legislative tasks from Malacañang. The House accomplished this “months ahead” of schedule, the party added.
The Lakas-CMD stalwarts highlighted in the manifesto their intention to uplift the country’s economic state introducing necessary and long-sought tweaks to the existing Charter.
“Our support for the democratic processes, including those that allow for constitutional amendments, is unwavering. We believe in the power of the Constitution as a living document, one that must evolve with the changing needs of our nation,” they said.
The legislators added they are “committed to the collective goal of national progress and prosperity”, and that this commitment “transcends political affiliations and is rooted in our desire to see the Philippines thrive.”
“We advocate for unity among all branches of government and call for constructive dialogue over divisive politics. The focus should be on collaboration and understanding to achieve the best outcomes for our country,” it said.
“We uphold the highest standards of transparency and accountability in all our actions. The criticisms against our Speaker do not align with these values and are a disservice to the principles of fair and just governance,” the manifesto read.
“In conclusion, we reiterate our support for Speaker Martin Romualdez and emphasize our role as advocates of democratic governance. We call upon all sectors to engage in respectful and productive dialogue and to work together for the betterment of our nation,” it said.